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Royal Adventures
Festa Italiana Trip
March 30th 2008
Adventure Leaders - Ralph and Cathy Sangiovanni
Assistant Adventure Leaders -
Bob
and Karen Thomas
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Sunday
morning
March 30th,
the long
awaited trip
to YBOR City
and the
Italian
Festival
finally got
underway.
About fifty
exuberant
Club members
began
arriving at
around 8:30
a.m. and
were met by
an authentic
Italian
couple who
they quickly
recognized
as our own
Ralph and
Cathy
Sangiovanni
who hosted
this
fabulous trip.
Coffee and
almond
cookies
along with
biscotti were
offered to
stem the
appetite
until the
gastronomical
extravaganza
would
commence
upon our
arrival at
the Festa.
Once aboard
our luxury
coach and
onto the
smooth
highway, bus
"attendants"
Cathy and
Ralph began
taking
orders for
bloody
mary's and
mimosas,
which made
the ride
even
smoother!
Periodically
our hosts
would keep
us informed
on the PA
system
about things
to expect
once we
arrived in
Ybor city
and when we
will be
stopping at
the all
important
"rest" stop
along the
way. The
trip up to
Tampa took
about two
and a half
hours but
seemed much
shorter
owing to the
buzz
of conversation
along the
way.
When we
arrived at
the gate
Ralph and
Cathy had us
processed in
quickly to
begin the
day of fun.
A quick stop
at the grand
stand to
hear the
pledge of
allegiance
and a
rendition of
“God Bless
America" we
were then on
our way to
the food
stands.
Along the
way we ran
into Marv
Market and
Betty
Conley,
Commodore
and Judy
Minahan, and
Wes and
Nancy Judd part
of the
group on The
Tampa Bay
cruise led
by Rick and
Lindsey
Scheinert.
Jami and Jan
MaGirl who
arrived on
their own
were also
spotted.
Soon after
the initial
surge of
appetites
were quelled
many opted
for a
relaxing
stroll
around the
grounds
while being
entertained
by grand
stand
musicians
and the
featured
performance
of Deanna
Martin,
daughter of
the famous
crooner Dean
Martin.
While the
music played
a couple of
senior
ladies
elaborately
adorned in
traditional
Italian
dress
approached
senor
Sangiovanni
and led him
in a lively
version of
the
tarantella!
As the
afternoon
wore
on, interrupted
by
occasional
trips back
to the food
concessions,
we began to
think about
the return
trip and
made our way
back to our
awaiting
bus.
Once aboard
the bus the
libations
and
entertainment
commenced.
Our bus
"attendants"
began
uncorking
champagne
and an
assortment
of red and
white wines
to the
delight of
the weary
festival
goers.
Feeling the
need for
some form of
entertainment
Ralph used
the PA
system to
tell one of
his
"hilarious"
jokes
followed by
equally
humorous orations
by the team
of Ron
Friedman
and Carl
Natale.
Steve
Benedict,
Bob Thomas,
Ed Fulkner,
and Bill
Fanizzo
rounded out
the billing.
The
entertainment
and
camaraderie
helped to
make the
trip back
seem shorter
than the
trip up.
Everyone
aboard
expressed
their
gratitude to
the
Sangiovannis’
for once
again
providing us
with a truly
entertaining
day.
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Photos by
- Ralph Sangiovanni and Marv
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